Special veteran honored
Washburn’s Post 48 of the American Legion was notified by the Coalition to Salute America’s Heroes that one of the awards would be available for a Washburn man.
This award, a check for $500, is to be given to disabled veterans of the Iraq or Afghanistan wars. This partnership works with the American Legion’s Heroes to Hometowns program that provides assistance to veterans and their family members upon their return to civilian life. Stephen Conroy’s family includes his wife Denise and four children, Savanna, Abby, Stephey-Ann and Douglas.
On Tuesday, Feb. 12, Washburn’s Oscar Dow Post 48 presented the check to Stephen Conroy, who had become 30 percent disabled during the Iraq war. Among Conroy’s wartime awards were the South East Asian Ribbon with three Bronze Stars and the Combat Infantry Badge. His rank at the time of discharge was E4 Infantry.
Making the presentation was Post Commander Kermit Fuller. Fuller noted that this is a token of the extreme gratitude to Conroy for his service to his country with honor and pride. The award was presented on behalf of fellow veterans and a grateful nation.
Attending the ceremony were American Legion representatives Andy Olson, the second vice commander of Maine; and Lloyd Woods, the past national second vice commander.
Also presented to Conroy was a $1,000 life and dismemberment insurance policy provided by the American Legion and a one-year membership in the Oscar Dow Post 48 of Washburn.
Birthdays/anniversaries
Those celebrating birthdays this week include: James Johnson, Debbie Bird, Chris Pesut, Lyn Gresham, Travis White, Velda Buckingham, Steven Hobbs, Eric Brown, Jean Wain, Danny Creasey, Harley Curtis, Tony Hatch, Colby Hitchcock, Bob Clayton, Wanda Carmichael, Beth Veeneman, Billy Sargent, Kyle Corey, Kyle Rider, Karen Carmichael, Bob Sands and Eva Levesque.
Anniversary wishes go out to: Craig and Crystal Hobbs.
Town-wide events/reminders
Delivery date for Friendly Co-Op Company is set for Friday, Feb. 29, and payment is due at time of delivery.
The Trailrunners Snowmobile clubhouse schedule is: On Fridays, the kitchen will be open from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. with a light lunch including burgers and hotdogs and Stew Night features a variety of great homemade soups and stews served starting at 4 p.m. On Saturdays, the kitchen is open from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. serving breakfast and lunch. On Sundays, the clubhouse will be serving breakfast and lunch from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m.
TOPS will be meeting each Monday at the Washburn Trailrunners clubhouse, starting with weigh-in at 4:15 p.m. and the meeting from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. For further information, contact Birdena Cochran at 455-8353.
There are still some Washburn Rotary-sponsored municipal calendars available and the cover page for March features some really cute photos of Girl Scouts in Washburn from 1999 through 2007. They are shown during school activities, parades and meeting times. The cost is $10 and they’ll likely become a good heirloom keepsake in years to come. To get your calendar, contact any Rotarian, stop in at Katahdin bank or phone Christie Cochran at 455-8034.
The municipal elections will be held on Monday, March 17, at the Civic Center with the polls being open from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. The annual Town Meeting will be held at the high school on Tuesday, March 18, at 7 p.m. Town reports will be available at area businesses and the Town Office during the week prior to the Town Meeting.
Rec Center events
On Thursday, Feb. 28, there will be indoor soccer at the elementary school. Grades K-2 play from 5:30 to 6:15 and grades 3 to 4 plays from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.
On Friday, Feb. 29, there will be a movie at the Rec Center for grades K-4 from 2:45 to 4:30 p.m.
On Monday, March 3, men’s basketball will also be held at the elementary school gym from 6:30 to 9 p.m.
On Tuesday, March 4, there will be indoor soccer at the elementary school. Grades K-2 play from 5:30 to 6:15 p.m. Grades 3 to 4 play from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.
On Wednesday, March 5, there will be cross country skiing from 2:45 to 4:15 p.m.
Perham notes
The Perham Planning Board and Grant Writing Committee has been working on several community projects and are putting together the first annual Perham Snowshoe Spectacular, also known as the Salmon Lake Bog Snowshoe Spectacular. This event will take place at the Perham Town Office, High Meadow Road in Perham, and is to be held on Sat. March 8, showcasing the beautiful Salmon Lake area. There will be a 3K Adult Snowshoe Race and a 1K Children’s Fun Race for ages 12 and under. Registration will be held at 9 a.m. The entry fee is $5 for adults and free to children. The children’s race kicks off the day’s activities at 10 a.m. and the adult race will follow at 11 a.m. Lunch and beverages will be available, and there will be a variety of door prizes. Prizes will be awarded for the top three places in the men’s and women’s categories, and ribbons will be awarded for all children participating. The awards ceremony will be held at 12:30 p.m. at the Town Office.
The door prizes will be awarded throughout the day, and all proceeds will be used to benefit a non-motorized trail development around Salmon Lake Bog. This trail will be particularly suited for hiking and snowshoeing. This event is sponsored by the town of Perham and local area businesses.
Local naturalist, artist and Planning Board Chairman Richard Clark will be snowshoeing out to the bog, a distance of about five miles round trip. He’ll be starting at 1 p.m. and anyone interested may join him. It will be a great view of the beautiful habitat surrounding the Salmon Brook area. This is a unique mix of cedar bog, upland slopes and stands of fir trees, as well as several rare plant species.
Anyone wishing to lend a hand for this and other events to raise money for this worthy project is asked to contact the Town Office at 455-5887 or any member of this joint committee.
The Perham Town Office hours are Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and hours.
Project Graduation 2008
Keep your calendars marked for Saturday, March 8, at 6 p.m. at the high school. The Project Graduation team will be holding a fun variety show with many different talents from locals, as well as surrounding towns including musicians, vocalists, youth dance troupes, adult dancers, baton twirlers, line dancers and possibly a skit or two. Efforts are being made to get some bands and maybe even a special demonstration of ballroom dancing. They also hope to include other acts involving dance, comedy and any other talents that may be out there, so don’t be shy. For further information, contact the Project Graduation Committee through the high school. There will also be snacks available throughout the evening, with all proceeds going towards Project Graduation.
Admission will be $5 for adults and $3 for children under 12. For further information on this event please phone Tracy Reed at 455-4886.
Also as part of the Class of 2008 fund-raising events, there will be a team of workers who will shovel roofs, walkways, driveways, do some yard work and haul in wood. All their labor will be done for donations to the Project Graduation fund. For further information, or to reserve your job time, contact Billie Roy at 455-8369.
The Class of 2008 is having an ongoing bottle drive and asks that anyone wishing to donate to this Project Graduation fund-raising event drop off their bottles at the Presque Isle Redemption Center or have any senior class member pick them up.
Tomi Henderson is the correspondent for Mars Hill, Blaine, Bridgewater and Westfield. She can be reached at 429-9126 or e-mail tomihen@yahoo.com.
Photo courtesy of Christie Cochran
POST 48 Commander Kermit Fuller and award recipient Stephen Conroy.
Photo courtesy of Christie Cochran
AMERICAN LEGION members Larry Harrison, Willie Drost, Andy Olson, Stephen Conroy, Kermit Fuller, Lloyd Woods and Kathy Philbrook recently met for a special award ceremony.
Photo courtesy of Christie Cochran
CHECKING OUT the snowshoe trail around Salmon Brook are snow-walking enthusiasts Jerry Dow and Shawn Dube.
